This month’s southerly shift of FC – to Albert Park – owes itself to the migration of one of FC’s founders to a green-collar company, also located in this leafy bayside suburb. Fear not about transport connections: The Albert Park Hotel is easily accessible by the No. 1 East Coburg – South Melbourne tram, or the No. 96 East Brunswick – St Kilda Beach light rail. Fear not about getting bounced at the door: There’s outside seating where – weather permitting – we plan to stake our claim. And don’t worry about it being all about ‘savvy-b’: this Art Deco pile puts nine beers on tap with more by the bottle, as well as wines by the glass. And if you like architects Six Degrees’ work (Public House, 3 Below City Square, Wall 280 Cafe, Pelican, Meyers Place Bar…) you’ll be pleased to hear you’re in for some more of their fine lines. Join us for our first foray to postcode 3206, at the Albert Park Hotel.

Friday 14 November
5.30pm+
Albert Park Hotel
Cnr Montague and Dundas Place
Albert Park Vic 3206
www.thealbertpark.com.au

This month, we break with our FC tradition, of visiting only new bars in the CBD, to return to the beer garden at Belgian Beer Café Bluestone. The FC HQ crew, all back from short, fact-finding breaks OS, are full of fab ideas for another year of monthly FCs. We’d love to see you in the garden. Gnome outfits optional. For more info on the venue, we’ll leave it to the Belgians… the BBC Bluestone is considered one of Australia’s largest beer gardens with its beautiful surroundings, shaded by elm trees and set against a backdrop of historic architecture. It was established in the grounds of Vision Australia (formerly the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind) in 2002. Housed in an historic bluestone building, it comprises a bar and restaurant reminiscent of a 1920s Brussels bistro as well as Melbourne’s biggest and liveliest beer garden. The bar and restaurant’s interior features dark timbers, rustic furniture and leadlight windows that open out to the beer garden.

Date: Friday, 17 October 2008
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Venue: Belgian Beer Café Bluestone
Address: 557 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Phone: 9529 2899
Website: http://www.belgianbeercafemelbourne.com/bbc-bluestone.htm

How dare Friday Club ignore the creations of Melbourne’s classy-bar king Con Christopoulos (European, City Wine Shop, Melbourne Supper Club) for so long? Siglo is his latest and it sits atop the iconic Supper Club looking out over floodlit State Parliament and the domed Princess Theatre. With gas heaters galore, it has been described as having a metal and glass pavilion that houses the main bar with display cases full of cognac and cigars, which leads out to a Parisian-style terrace with woven cafe chairs, folding wood and metal park chairs, weathered wooden benches and small round tables. Grab your galgauloises or gitanes and ascend les escaliers...

Date: 25 July 2008
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Venue: Siglo
Address: Level 2, 161 Spring Street, Melbourne.
Phone: 9654 6300
Review: http://www.theage.com.au/news/bar-reviews/siglo-bar/2008/05/12/1210444319156.html or see p.42 of July’s “Melbourne Magazine”

Nestled in a cobbled laneway between Melbourne Central and QV, Baroq house has fast become one of Melbourne’s most sophisticated corporate hot spots. With its novel approach to presentation and service Baroq house is an excellent venue to entertain clients or host post work drinks with colleagues and friends.

Inspired by the 17th Century western art movement that nurtured an abundance of creativity to produce dramatic, romantic, exuberant and magnificent expressions of art from sculpture, canvas, literature and music, this controversially provocative venue design delivers a sensory richness of drama, grandeur, vitality, tension and emotional tenor that appeals to the intelligent and artistically inclined patrons.

From 6pm Friday 20th June

Baroq House
9 – 13 Drewery Lane
(runs between Little La Trobe & Lonsdale)
Melbourne
Tel 03 8080 5680
www.baroqhouse.com.au

A synagogue in 1855, then a school, kindergarten and now an Italian bar/restaurant, Trunk is… (carefully avoiding religious, under-age binge drinking, and mafia clichés) definitely worth a look in. Its very unusual history – and news of a nutella martini – piqued our interest so we road-tested Trunk, with an architect, lawyer and engineer in tow. The architect loved Trunk’s edgy/shiny/glossy-ness, but the engie failed it on proximity (too far from Market Street), albeit draining a vase-sized glass of imported beer like a baby on a bottle. The lawyer went out for a smoke, enjoying one of the few ground level beer gardens left in the CBD, and under the shade of a 100+ year old tree (hence the name?). What will you get out of Trunk?

Date: 9 May 2008
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Venue: Trunk
Address: 275 Exhibition Street, (Cnr Little Lonsdale St), Melbourne.
Phone: 9663 7994
Web: http://www.trunktown.com.au

See you at May’s FC.

Simon, Danielle and Jonathan

YOU could call the decor at the revamped Carlton Hotel many things but you sure couldn’t call it restrained. From the tip of its luridly patterned, pub-carpeted toes to the illuminated Saturday Night Fever dance floor ceiling, there is enough going on to feel like someone has spiked your drink before you’ve even ordered one. Stuffed birds, wallpaper, flocked dogs, candelabrum and urns, neon chandeliers, a labyrinth of curved booths – you name it and the Carlton has managed to squeeze it in.

Its time for the next Friday Club from 6pm on Friday 28th March 2008

Carlton Hotel (Rooftop Bar weather permitting)
193 Bourke Street
Melbourne

They say Hummingbirds have a unique ability to fly deliberately backwards and to maintain position while drinking. We’re not suggesting you try such risky, orni-behaviour at our first FC for ‘08. Till now we haven’t seen organised drinking games at Friday Club. Could this be a first? Fly in for a drink on the rooftop of this sweet and VERY popular little bar located on the cusp of the Greek and Chinese quarters. They don’t allow reservations so be sure to fly the coop early. After all, let’s remind ourselves that its Summer, daylight savings and it could be educational. Run those excuses past your boss and we’ll look forward to seeing you with your wings on next month.

Date: 8 February 2008
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Venue: The Red Hummingbird Rooftop
Address: Level 1, 246 Russell Street, Melbourne.
Phone: 9654 2266
Web: http://www.theredhummingbird.com/

See you soon!

Simon, Danielle and Jonathan

The blurb on the Blue Diamond website tells of this venue’s pedigree: “The Blue Diamond was established in November 2006. The creation of Henry Maas (Black Cat and Night Cat) and Andrew Leonedas (Carlton Yacht Club Bar) it was designed to fill a much needed niche.” The word on the street – well, according to FC stalwart Mona – is this: “The top-floor, jazz-flavoured social salon set against the gittering backdrop of Melbourne city lights”. We’ve booked a corner table for 7pm so we’ve got a ‘home base’. Entry is free before 8pm, $5 after that. There’s a live band later, and when the Nov. program comes out, we’ll be sure to let you know who it is right here. By the way, this FC just happens to fall close to Mona’s birthday so be sure to congratulate her on a top choice of venue and shout her a glass of birthday bubbles.

Date: 16 November 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Blue Diamond
Address: Level 15, 123 Queen Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 8601 2720
Web: www.bluediamondclub.com.au

See you soon!

Simon, Danielle and Jonathan

After a short Winter hiatus, Friday Club springs back to life in September at one of Melbourne’s oldest and best-known jazz venues, Manchester Lane. Located on the ground floor of beautiful Manchester House which was built in 1913, it is described as having a classic supper club layout. Join us early, in our reserved area, for $5 Happy Hour drinks from 5-7pm, then stay on for “Soul Contention”, playing at 9.30pm. Turn up before 8pm to avoid the $10 cover charge.
Date: 7 September 2007
Time: 5pm onwards
Venue: Manchester Lane
Address: 36 Manchester Lane, which runs between Flinders Lane and Collins Street. The closest cross-street is Swanston
Phone: 03 9600 1454
Web: www.manchesterlane.com.au
Map: View Map

See you soon!

Simon, Danielle and Jonathan

The Mill is the newest addition to the Melbourne City’s Hardware Lane precinct. A converted warehouse over two floors. It’s that time of the month again for the mid winter Friday Club – regulars and new comers alike join the Friday Club get together at Charlie’s Bar (downstairs) of The Mill with free bubbles for girls from 6-8 pm.

Date: 20 July 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Charlie’s Bar (downstairs) The Mill
Address: 71 Hardware Lane, Melbourne 3001
Phone: 03 9600 1454
Web: http://www.themillbar.com.au